The Diplomat
The Oman Daily Observer this week devoted an extensive article to the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of Felipe VI as King of Spain, highlighting the contribution made by the monarch during this period to stability in the Middle East and the Gulf.
The article begins by stating that over the last ten years Don Felipe has maintained ‘a diplomatic and humanitarian approach in his relations with the region, reflecting the values of peace, justice and solidarity that define the Spanish Royal Household’. He adds that the Royal House’s historical ties and relations of trust with the Gulf monarchies have been strengthened, consolidating Spain’s image in the region.
He recalls that, in the particular case of relations between Spain and the Sultanate of Oman, the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972; that in 2004, Spain opened its Embassy in Muscat; that in 2006, Oman appointed its first ambassador to Spain; and that in 2008, the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office in Oman was inaugurated.
He goes on to state that “the role of committed international actors such as the Spanish Royal Household will be crucial in promoting peace and cooperation in the future, as well as in addressing the most pressing global challenges”.
In this sense, he emphasises that the Gaza conflict has been a constant concern on the international agenda, and the Spanish Royal Family has not been oblivious to this tragic situation. “Since the beginning of his reign, Felipe VI has advocated a peaceful and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On several occasions, the monarch has urged the international community to redouble diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that guarantees the security and well-being of both sides”.
The newspaper also recalls that, on several occasions, King Felipe VI has stressed the need to respect international law and international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict. And after adding that, at the beginning of 2024, during the closing speech of the Spanish Ambassadors’ Conference, he stressed the importance of the two-state solution; with mutual security guarantees, full independence and recognised borders as the only viable path to peace, it points out: ‘This position reflects a continuity with Spanish foreign policy, which has traditionally supported a just and negotiated solution to the conflict’.
He also states that, beyond its diplomatic role, the Spanish Royal Family has demonstrated a firm commitment to humanitarian cooperation in the Middle East. In particular,” he says, “Queen Letizia has played a prominent role in this area. As Special Ambassador for Nutrition of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), she has promoted various initiatives aimed at improving food security in the region, which has been affected by protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises”.
It also highlights that since 2015, Spain has allocated funds and resources through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, in collaboration with international organisations, to provide basic assistance, education and medical care to thousands of refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, among other countries. And it stresses that “the solidarity of the Spanish people with those affected by the conflicts in the region has been repeatedly highlighted during the official visits made by the King and Queen of Spain to the Middle East”.
“In short”, it says, “the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s reign represents not only a decade of leadership in Spain but also a continued commitment to diplomacy and international cooperation.
The Spanish Royal Household, through its actions and positions,” concludes The Observer, “has demonstrated a strong willingness to contribute to peace, stability and humanitarian aid in the Middle East. The active presence of Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in the region, together with the solid tradition of relations with the Gulf monarchies, have reinforced Spain’s role as a relevant and supportive actor on the global stage. In these ten years, the Spanish Royal Household, under the reign of Felipe VI, has promoted the values of peace, justice and solidarity that characterise it, offering reasons for optimism and hope in the face of the challenges that the international community will have to face in the coming years”.
